Field survey summary report of the harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) on the Kootenai National Forest, Montana

MONTANA

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FIELD SURVEY SUMMARY -lEPORT

OF THE HARLEQUIN DUCK

CHistrionlcus hi sjuiionicus )

ON THE KOOTENAI NATIONAL FOREST

MONTANA

by

Rick Kerr, C^ijilfl:pcir'Field''Biolpai^t^'
L,lbby7\ Mqn t:ana_39^-:

>

MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
1515 East Sixth Avenue
Helena, Montana 59620 STATE DCCUiMENTS COLLECTION

^"C ^^ 8 1997

MONTANA STATE LIBRARY

1515 E. 6th AVE.
HELENA, MONTANA 59S20

September 1 989

STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECTION

nrc - f 1397

MONTANA STATE LIBRARV

1515 E. 6th AVE.
HELENA, MONTANA 59620

6Vi:»

i-«3 E

i l^

"if. ' 11

ABSTRACT

A spring occurrence survey of 27 streams and stream confluences,
5 falls, and 1 lake covering 55 miles was conducted during May and
June of 1989. Harlequin ducks were observed at Kootenai Falls on
May 14 (4 males, 2 females : one bonded pair). May 28 (3 males),
and June 11 (1 male). Harlequin ducks were observed on Graves Creek
on May 19 (1 male, 1 female : bonded pair), and on June 1 (2 males,
2 females : two bonded pairs) . No other harlequin duck sitings were
made during the spring occurrence survey period. An estimated
potential nest start for the hen of the bonded Kootenai Falls pair
was between June 4 and June 1 1 . Estimate potential nest start for
both hens of bonded pairs on Graves Creek as between June 1 and
June 1 5 .

A summer brood survey of 15 streams covering approximately 74 miles
was conducted during July eind August. Only one harlequin duck siting
was made during this period. One adult female duck was observed on
Graves Creek July 19. She was observed foraging for about ain hour.
No sign of amy offspring was observed.

Data collected during the summer brood survey included: stream
measurements (width, estimated volume of stream flow, average gradient
of low-gradient reaches, and stream temperatures), occurrence of
associated species (dippers, spotted sandpipers, belted kingfishers,
herons, and common mergansers) which can indicate level of aquatic
insect - fish populations, and stream habitat characteristics . (rated
relative value of slow water side/overflow channels, vegetated
gravel bars, overhanging vegetation, log/debris jams, and beaver
activity for low-giadient reaches of each stream surveyed) .

Some existing and potential limiting factors for the harlequin duck
on the Kootenai National Forest include: recreational fishing
pressure, road building and timber harvest, private landowner
activities, mining development, low volume of stream flow, low
productivity of aquatic invertebrates, lack of adequate loafing and
nesting sites, large fluctuations in the level of the Kootenai
River (Libby Dam) during the spring £ind summer, and the possible
direct and indirect effects the common merganser may have on
potential harlequin duck brood rearing habitat.

Possible methods to increase verified harlequin duck sitings include
a public relations program centered around an identification poster
on the harlequin duck and targeted to those private landowners who
live along key stream reaches. Another method which might produce
spring occurrence verification is the use of monitoring cameras at
key stream confluences.

INTRODUCTION

The harlecniin duck. (Histrionicus histrionicus) is a Forest Service
Sensitive Species on the Kootenai National Forest. The occurrence
of this species of sea duck is rare to uncommon on the forest.
Documented harlequin reproduction has occurred on the Cabinet
Ranger District, eind nesting is suspected to occur on the Three
Rivers Ranger District, Libby Ranger District, and Fortine Ranger
District. Verified sitings of harleguin ducks on the KNF (excluding
the Cabinet R.D.) during the 1980's include:

FORTINE RANGER DISTRICT

Graves Creek (1980's : Steve Fox / Tim Manley)

LIBBY RANGER DISTRICT

Quartz Creek (1987 or 1988 : Barry Hansen ...

3 harlequin chicks caught in
upstream fishtrap)

(1981 or 1982 : Ai Bratkovich ...
1 male and 1 female 1/2-1 mile
upstream from mouth)

REXFORD RANGER DISTRICT

Big Creek (1988 - spring : Marge Swanson ...

1 adult at mouth)

THREE RIVERS RANGER DISTRICT

Kootenai Falls (1980's : observed by biologists ever-y

spring; Carl Wolf verified nest site
within log/debris jam above Falls in
early 80 's)

Callahan Creek (1986 : Barry Hansen ...

1 pair during spring)

Yaak River (1983 - spring : Randy Matchet ...

observed ?# at MP 13)

N.Fk. Yaak (1980's : Bill Pomeroy)

E.Fk. Yaak (1980's : Clint / Gloria Mills ...

may be seeing wood ducks)

17-Mile Creek (1988 : Bill Pomeroy ...

at bridge 1/4 mile upstream
from mouth)

Spar Lake U988 - spring : Bob Byars ...

1 pair at Whoopee Cr. confluence)

The objectives of this field survey were to document additional
harlequin duck occurrences, aind hopefully gain some insight on the
breeding chronology, nesting, productivity, and habitat on the KNF.

-1-

METHODS

Information on potential and past harlecruin duck, occurrences was
obtained through District biologists. Streams that had previous duck
sitings and potential habitat based on past studies (Wall en and
Groves 1989, Kuchel 1977) were given priority for field surveys.

Elements indicating potential harlequin duck brood rearing include:

1 . Low streeun gradient

2. Braided or meandering stream reaches

3. Relative high and stable stream flow volume

4. High quality riparian shrub component ... vegetated

gravel bars and overhanging vegetation

5. High aquatic insect populations

6. Presence of log/woody debris jams

7. Presence of beaver activity

Spring occurrence surveys for breeding pairs were conducted by
hiking along stream reaches not observable from roads, and by
driving roads along stream reaches, searching for harlequin ducks
with binoculars.

Summer brood surveys for females with broods were conducted by
wading upstream selected low gradient streeim reaches. The Yaak and
Kootenai Rivers were surveyed by a combination of hiking, floating,
and driving roads .

Observations of harlequin ducks and information on streams surveyed
were recorded on MT.NHP Animal Survey Forms. Data collected included
date, time, weather, temperature, and biotic & abiotic features
of the site (vegetation, elevation, sex, age, and number observed) .
Information collected on streams where no harlequin ducks were
observed included date, weather, stream flow data, miles of stream
surveyed, time spent, and associated animal species observed.

Maps of the KNF indicating stream reaches surveyed were prepared
and are included with this report.

RESULTS
-2-

>

TABLE 1

Date

SPRING OCCURREINCE SURVEY.

Drainage

Stream Miles Surveyed

t rom

To

>

5/14/89 Kootenai River
LIBBY KD

5/19/89 Graves Creek
FORTINE RD

5/19/89 Big Creek
REXFORD RD

5/23/89 Quartz Creek
LIBBY RD

5/24/89 Spar Lake

(Whoopee Creek
Spar Creek
Hiatt Creek)

5/24/89 Keeler Creek

5/24/89 Lake Creek

5/25/89 Kootenai River

5/25/89 Yaak River

5/25/89 17-Mile Creek

5/25/89 Spread Creek

5/25/89 Pete Creek

5/26/89 W.Fk. Yaak

5/26/89 E.Fk. Yaak

THREE RIVERS RD

5/26/89 Young Creek

5/26/89 Pinkham Creek

5/26/89 Sutton Creek
REXFORD RD

5/28/89 Kootenai Falls
THREE RIVERS RD

6/1/89 Graves Creek
FORTINE RD

6/4/89 Kootenai Falls
THREE RIVERS RD

1

T31N,R32W
Sec 18

T31N,R33W
See 13

4

T36N,R25W
Seel 4

T37N,R24W
See32

3.

.5

T34N,R29W
Sec2

T35N,R29W
Sec33

1

T31N,R32W
Sec24

T31N,R32W
Sec 13

1 .
0.
0,
0.

.25
.25
.25
.25

T29N,R34W
Seel 6

T29N,R34W
See28

0.

.25

r30N,R33W
Seel 7

T30N,R33W
Seel 9

1 ,

.25

r31N,R33W
See30

T30N,R33W
See7

1 .

.5

T32N,R34W
Sec35

T32N,R34W
Sec5

8.

.5

T32N,R34W
See5

T35N,R31W
See6

0,

.5

T34N,R33W
Sec27

T34N,R33W
See27

0,

.25

T35N,R33W
See3

T35N,R33W
See 10

0.

.5

T35N,R32W
Sec5

T36N,R32W
See32

2

T37N.R31W
Sec32

T37N,R32W
See36

0,

.5

T37N,R31W
See25

T37N,R31W
See25

1

T37N,R28W
Sec13

T37N,R28W
See24

1

r35N,R28W
Sees

T35N,R28W
Sec4

1

T35N,R29W
Sec25

T35N,R28W
See30

0.

25

T31N,R33W
Sec13

T31N,R33W
Sec 13

2

r36N,R25W
See 12

T37N,R24W
Sec32

0.

25

T31N.R33W
Sec 13

T31N,R33W
Sec 13

3-

TABLE 1 ( cont ) .

SPRING OCCURRENCE SURVEY.

Date

Drainage

Stream Miles Surveyed

From

To

6/5/89 Wolf Creek

FISHER RIVER RD

6/6/89 Marten Creek

6/7/89 E.Fk. Blue Creek
CABINET RD

6/9/89 Pipe Creek
LIBBY RD

5/11/89 Kootenai Falls

6/11/89 Callahan Creek
THREE RIVERS RD

6/13/89 Fisher River

FISHER RIVER RD

6/15/89 Graves Creek
FORTINE RD

6/19/89 West Fisher

6/19/89 Silver Butte

6/20/89 East Fisher

FISHER RIVER RD

6/21/89 Graves Creek
FORTINE RD

C/24/89 Kootenai Falls
THREE RIVERS RD

3

1

1

3

0.25

3

5.25

1

3

1

0.5

1

0.25

T31N,R26W
Seel 7

T25N,R32W
Sec33

T27N,R34W
Sec 17

T31N,R31W
Sec21

T31N,R33W
Seel 3

T31N,R34W
Sec 19

T26N,R29W
Sec8

T35N,R25W
Seel

T27N,R29W
Sec31

T25N,R29W
Seel 7

T25N,R29W
Sec 2

T36N,R25W
Sec1

r31N,R33W
Seel 3

T31N,R27W
Seel

T25N,R32W
Sec31

T27N,R34W
Seel 3

T31N,R31W
Sec20

T31N,R33W
Seel 3

T31N,R34W
Sec21

T29N,R29W
Sec27

T37N,R24W
See32

T26N,R30W
See2

T26N,R30W
Sec35

T25N,R29W
Sec3

T37N,R24W
Sec32

T31N,R33W
See13

During May and June of 1989, 27 streams and stream confluences were
surveyed for breeding pairs of harlequin ducks. Fifty-five stream
miles were checked, as well as 5 falls (Kootenai Falls, Yaak Falls,
West Fork Yaak Falls - 2, and East Fork Yaak Falls) and 1 lake
(Spar Lake) .

During July and August of 1989, 15 streams were walked for female
harlequin ducks with broods. Approximately seventy-four miles were
surveyed. Information collected during the summer brood surveys
included stream characteristics, associated species, and streeim
habitat characteristics.

-4-

TABLE 2a. SUMMER BROOD SURVEY : LOCATION

Date

Drainage Stream

Miles Surveyed

From

To

7/19-20/89

Graves Creek

2,

.5

T36N.R25W

T37N,R24W

FORTINE RD

Seel 2

See32

7/21/89

Pipe Creek

3.

.25

T31N,R31W
Sec20

T31N,R31W
Sec 10

7/22/89

Quartz Creek

3

T31N,R32W
Sec24

T32N,R32W
Sec23

8/10-12/89

West Fisher

7

T27N,R29W
Sec31

T27N,R30W
See32

7/25/89

Kootenai River

4

T31N,R32W
Seel 4

T31N,R33W
Seel 3

8/20/89

Kootenai River

6

T31N,R32W

T31N,R33W

LIBBY RD

See24

See 13

1/23/Q9

W.Fk. Yaak

3

T37N,R32W
Sec36

r37N,R32W
See22

7/31/89

E.Fk. Yaak

2.

,25

T37N,R31W
See25

T37N,R30W
Sec29

8/17/89

E.Fk. Yaak

2.

.5

T37N,R30W
See27

T37N,R31W
Sec23

T37N,R30W
Sec35

T37N,R31W
See26

8/17/89

N.Fk. Yaak

3

T37N,R31W
See22

T37N,R31W
See4

3/19/89

S.Fk. Yaak

2

r35N,R32W
Seel 2

T34N,R31W
See5

8/18/89

Spread Creek

3.

5

T35N,R33W
See1 0

T36N,R33W
Sec19

8/19/89

17-Mile Creek

3.

5

T34N,R33W
See25

T33N,R32W
Sec5

7/31/89

Yaak River

4.

75

T36N,R31W
See30

T35N,R32W
Sec2

8/18/89

Yaak River

4.

5

T34N,R33W
See9

T35N,R3 2W
Sees

7/23/89

Callahan Creek

2.

75

T31N,R34W

T31N,R34W

THREE RIVERS RD

Seel 9

See21

8/23-25/89

Big Creek

11

T34N,R29W

T34N,R30W

REXFORD RD

See3

See29

8/12/89

Silver Butte

5

T26N,R29W

T26N,R30W

FISHER RIVER RD

Seel 7

Sec34

■5-

TABLE 2b.

SUr>lMER BROOD SURVEY

STREAM CHARACTERISTICS

Drainage

Width

Est
Vol

G

Avg.
rad i ent

Air
Temp.

Water
Temp.

Time

Date

Graves Creek
FORTINE RD

15.0'

90.0
64.8

cfs
cfs

3.0%

50"
70 •

F
F

42°
48°

F
F

21 :00
19:45

6/21/89
7/20/89

Pipe Creek

22.0*

64.7

cfs

1 .6%

12"

F

61°

F

12:00

7/21/89

Quartz Creek
(upper)

11 .3'

30.4

cfs

2.6'i

59°

F

52°

F

18:00

7/22/89

Quartz Creek
( lower)

14.2*

56.3

cfs

3.1%

58'

F

53°

F

20:45

7/22/89

West Fisher
(upper)

14.2*

41 .3

cfs

2.2%

67"

F

49°

F

10:00

8/11/89

West Fisher

( lower)
LIBBY RD

18.4'

51 .6

cfs

1.0%

61'

F

56°

F

09:30

8/12/89

W.Fk. Yaak

21 .3*

71 . 1

cfs

1.0%

74"

F

69°

F

18:00

7/29/89

E.Fk. Yaak

20.5*

153.9

cfs

1.2%

54'

F

53°

F

13:00

7/31/89

N.Fk. Yaak

38.1*

114.4

cfs

0.5%

56'

F

57°

F

14:15

8/17/89

S.Fk. Yaak

30.0'

47.3

cfs

0.7%

65*

F

62°

F

19:00

8/19/89

Spread Creek

35.0'

82.9

cfs

3.2%

58°

F

52°

F

11:15

8/18/89

17-Mile Creek

32.6'

63.2

cfs

1 .2%

64"

F

58°

F

11 :00

8/19/89

Callahan Creek 24.1*
THREE RIVERS RD

106.0

cfs

2.0%

90°

F

65°

F

17:00

7/23/89

Big Creek
REXFORD RD

41 .0'

84.6

cfs

1.6%

59°

F

58°

F

20:30

8/23/89

Silver Butte 19.8'
FISHER RIVER RD

62.3

cfs

1 .6%

77°

F

63°

F

16:15

8/12/89

DISCUSSION

Certain streams stand out in terms of potential harlequin duck use
after reviewing and comparing the data in Tables 2b-, 2c., and 2d.

The East Fork of the Yaak is one of these streams. It appears that
the E. Fork has the best overall potential to support harlequin
duck production, rating the highest in terms of habitat character-
istics and stream flow volume. Average gradient of low gradient
reaches surveyed was 1.2 %. This is slightly higher than what Wallen
and Groves (1989) found in nesting areas of Northern Idaho (<1°).

-6-

TABLE 2c. SUMMER BROOD SURVEY : ASSOCIATED SPECIES

Miles Sand- King- Common

Drainage Surveyed Dippers pipers fishers Herons Mergansers

Graves Creek

2.5

2

2

FORTINE RD

Pipe Creek

3.25

3

1

2

Quartz Creek

3

4

West Fisher

7

9

3

1

LIBBY RD

W.Fk. Yaak

3

3

1

E.Fk. Yaak

4.75

5

2

3

N.Fk. Yaak

3

1

3

2

S.Fk. Yaak

2

1

1

Spread Creek

3.5

2

17-Mile Creek

3.5

1

1

2

1

Callahein Creek

2.75

3

7

1

THREE RIVERS RD

Big Creek

11

11

9

1

REXFORD RD

Silver Butte

5

3

4

1

FISHER RIVER RD

12

The West Fisher also has good potential to support harlequin duck
production. The West Fisher ranks high in terms of providing habitat
components, emd has a combined gradient average of 1.0 %. Possible
limiting factors for supporting harlequin duck production on the
West Fisher may be stream flow volume, the presence of brood rearing
common mergansers, and timber harvest related disturbances.

The following streams all have the potential to support harlequin

duck production in one capacity or another. They are listed in a

'loose' order according to this survey and the comparison of data

collected :

Big Creek (REXFORD R.D.)

N.Fk. Yaak (THREE RIVERS R.D.)

17-Mile Creek (THREE RIVERS R.D.)

Silver Butte (FISHER RIVER R.D.)

Graves Creek V.FORTINE R.D.)

Pipe Creek (LIBBY R.D.)

S.Fk. Yaak (THREE RIVERS R.D.)

-7-

TABLE 2d

SUMMER BROOD SURVEY

HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS

Side/Overflow Vegetated Overhanging Log Beaver
Channels Gravel Bars Vegetation Jams Activity

Drainage

Graves Creek.

3

FORTINE RD

Pipe Creek

4

Ouartz Creek

3

West Fisher

4

LIBBY RD

W.Fk. Yaak

3

E.Fk, Yaak

3

N.Fk. Yaak

2

S.Fk. Yaak

2

Spread Creek

3

17-Mile Creek

4

Callahan Creek

3

THREE RIVERS RD

Big Creek

3

REXFORD RD

Silver Butte

4

FISHER RIVER RD

3
3
4

3
3
2
2
1
4
3

4
4
4

3
5
4
4
2
4
3

3
3

4

3
5
2
4
3
3
3

4
2
3

2
5
3
3
1
5
1

1= Low Value ; 5= High Value

W.Fk. Yaak
Callahan Creek
Quartz Creek
Spread Creek

(THREE RIVERS R.D.)

(THREE RIVERS R.D.)
(LIBBY R.D. )

(THREE RIVERS R.D.)

Tie Yaak River also provides potential brood rearing habitat for
the harlequin duck. The Yaak River has several reaches of slow,
deep water which flows amongst heavy willow, dogwood, and alder
bank cover. Overhanging vegetation cover is abundant. However, this
high quality habitat is already being well utilized by brood
rearing common mergamsers. Twenty-four mergansers were observed on
the Yaak River during surveys in 1989.

The Kootenai River provides marginal habitat for brood rearing. This
and the fact that the river level is fluctuated (Libby Dam) so

-8-

TABLE 3

HARLEQUIN DUCKS OBSERVED DURING SURVEY.

Date

Drainage

Elevation

Observation

Location

5/14/89

Kootenai Falls

196U*

4
2

' Lords '
'Ladies'

5/19/89

Graves Creek

4400'

1
1

'Lord'
• Lady '

5/28/89

Kootenai Falls

I960'

3

' Lords '

6/01/89

Graves Creek

4400'

2
2

' Lords •
'Ladies '

6/11/89

Kootenai Falls

I960*

1

•Lord*

7/19/89

Graves Creek

4360"

1

' Lady '

T31N R33W S13,NW
(1 pair)

T37N R24W S32,SW
(1 pair)

T31N R33W S13,NW

T37N R24W S32,SW
(2 pair)

T31N R33W S13,NW

T36N R25W S1 ,NE

greatly during the spring and sununer months, reduces the chances of
female harlequin ducks nesting on the river.

Several streams draining into Lake Koocanusa where not surveyed for
summer broods due to being without additional time, and also because
over the last 10 years I have spent considerable time walking
most of the larger drainages doing stream/fish habitat surveys and
conducting redd covints for the Forest Service.

Pete Creek and Burnt Creek on the Three Rivers R.D. were not
surveyed for sximmer broods due to low (i.e. 20-30 cfs) stream flow
volumes.

Additional streauns which were not walked, but have good potential
to support harlequin production include;

Lake Creek
Keeler Creek

(THREE RIVERS R.D.)
(THREE RIVERS R.D.)

HARLEQUIN OCCURRENCES

Ten different harlequin ducks (6 males and 4 females) were documented
during this field study. All sitings were at Kootenai Falls or
on Graves Creek on the Fortine R.D. The three documented pairs were
estimated to have potentially started to nest between June 1 & June 15,

-9-

TABLE 4. ESTIMATED VOLUMES

*

OF STREAM FLOW.

Drainage

Estimated Vol .

Estimate Location

Date

Weather

Graves Cr.

90.0

cfs

T36N

R24W

S1,NE

6/21/89

cool/cldy

64.8

cfs

7/20/89

warm/pcld

Big Creek

84.6

cfs

T35N

R29W

S31 ,NE

8/23/89

cool/rain

W. Fisher

41 .3

cfs

T26N

R30W

S5,NE

8/11/89

warm/shws

(upper)

W. Fisher

61 .6

cfs

T27N

R29W

S31,NW

8/12/89

warm/clr

(lower)

Silver Butte

62.3

cfs

T26N

R30W

S36,NW

8/12/89

war in/shws

Pipe Creek

64.7

cfs

T31N

R31W

S16,SW

7/21/89

hot/cir

Quartz Cr.

30.4

cfs

T32N

R32W

S26,SW

7/22/89

hot/clr

(upper)

Quartz Cr.

56.3

cfs

T31N

R32W

S13,SE

7/22/89

hot/clr

(lower)

Callahan Cr.

106.0

cfs

T31N

R34W

S20,NE

7/23/89

hot/clr

17-Mile Cr.

63 . 2 cfs

T34N

R33W

536, NW

8/19/89

wai iii/shws

Spread Cr.

82.9

cfs

T35N

R33W

>-j3 , SE

8/18/89

warm/clr

Pete Creek

27.4

cfs

T35N

R32W

S5,NW

8/18/89

warm/pcld

S.Fk. Yaak

47.3

cfs

T35N

R32W

S13,NW

8/19/89

wann/pcld

W.Fk. Yaak

71 . 1

cfs

T37N

R32W

S26,SW

7/29/89

hot/hazy

N.Fk. Yaak

114.4

cfs

T37N

R31W

S15.NE

8/17/89

cool/rain

E.Fk- Yaak

153.9

cfs

T37N

R30W

S19,SE

7/31/89

hot/clr

Stream flow vol\imes estimated with Robins and Crawford method (1954)

LIMITING FACTORS

Speculation on natural limiting factors affecting potential harleguin
duck reproduction on the Kootenai NF could include: stream flow
volumes (1989 spring runoff was more "normal" than previous drought
years); adequate stream habitat components; gradient levels; aquatic
insect populations; eind direct/indirect competition for brood
rearing habitat with the common merganser. Other factors which may
influence harlequin production would include: private landowner
activities; fishing pressure (i.e. Graves Creek); timber hai-vest /
road building affecting riparian zone and water quality; and
potential hard rock mining activities.

-10-

ilJII;:^.,^— V.....

Kcotenai Falls Etnd rock terraces.

Harleciuin pair loafing on rock terrace above Falls

1 1-

-«

'-^ ""^

Harlequin pair foraging on Graves Creek.

' • W>^^^^•JE•■•''

■ - V- • V — ■ ■'ft'

'•'itlW' I nil Jiil I'l •>«".-.:

■^^"^^6^i^^

/^'*>V/i

- »,4ir«^'P»'^B>*^!>.

-9

^-

Lone female on Graves Creek in July.

-12--

Spotted sandpiper on the West Fisher.

female merganser with grown brood

--13-

Debris strewn side channel on Graves Creek.

Densely vegetated gravel bar on Pipe Creek.

14-

Overhamging vegetation on the E. Fork Yaak.

Log Jam habitat on the E. Fork Yaak.

-15-

Beaver dam and created marsh on 17-Mile Creek,

Beaver pond on Silver Butte Creek,

-16-

MONTANA
STATE

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